Unsaid Love_Chapter 3

Putting Riya to sleep, Avni came to balcony of her apartment with a cup of coffee in hand and “The Secret” in the other. It was this book which had made her survive through the times when life hit her hard on her face. She gave full credit of this new life to this book. Settling on the couch, she thought how tough that time was. Riya was just five. And she had no hopes that she will live through these tough times.

Her mind came back to consciousness breaking her already troubled sleep. She didn’t want to open her eyes and see that world again that has shattered her last night. She knew that all the thoughts that she had put away with such an enormous difficulty would come running back to her the moment she opened her eyes. After fidgeting for so long she finally opened her eyes and checked the time. It was only two hours of sleep she had managed. She tried again to sleep because more the number of waking hours meant more the hours of reality.
Her eyes were puffy and red due to crying and lack of sleep. Thankfully Riya was sleeping with her grandma. Avni had requested some time alone to cope up. She was restless. Her legs were paining as if she had been running since long. Running. Yes that’s exactly what she was doing these days: running from reality, running from the world, running from herself and everyone. Fidgeting she went off to sleep finally. Her alarm woke her up an hour later. Lying in bed she thought- again a new day.. Get up and wear a mask, act like
you are ok and at one point of time you become a brilliant actor and nobody sees through your fakeness! whoa! This had become her routine. She appeared fine to everyone, coping up the grief quite well; only the darkness of the night knew her truth- her pain-her reality. With the death of Ritesh, her world stood shattered into pieces. It was around this time, when strolling in a bookstore she found “The Secret” and remembered Akash’s words-This book can change your life. That was the day and until this day she never lived that miserable life again, she created a new one for herself and her daughter.

It was mid-afternoon, but the monsoon shower made the weather perfectly romantic. Sipping her coffee, another memory came back to her which made her smile.

Terrace! Her favourite place ever since she discovered that lonesome corner on the college terrace. This corner was her refuge whenever she wanted to be with none other than just herself. This place was the genesis for her most creative works! This was a little secret even her closest friends didn’t know about. A place she cherished. A place that soothed her soul and cleansed her heart of all the worries in the world.
But her privacy was breached once and forever. She had kept down her art-book near the entrance, went to sit near the edge of the roof, closer to the branches of the trees-closer to the nature. She was lost in her thoughts when she heard the footsteps. She turned around to see who that was. Someone had retraced his footsteps and was returning to the entrance.
“Excuse me?” she asked.
He stopped and turned round. To see it was Akash, she was even more annoyed, and she didn’t know the reason.
“yes? Oh hi! Avni right?”
“hmm.. hi” she forced a smile on her face, wishing to be left alone as soon as possible.
“sorry I disturbed your thoughts”, he apologized.
This touched her. It seemed that as if he knew the importance of solitude and respected it.
“Umm.. its ok. No problem”
“But actually I was looking for you”, he said, simultaneously stepping towards the edge of the roof.
“Me?? Why?”
“You left your I-Card in the library, the day before yesterday. So, I thought you might appreciate getting it back” said Akash, pulling out the I-card out of his pocket. Avni just smiled, taking her I-card from him.
“Well, I think I should take your leave now or would you mind my presence here? Actually it’s my favourite too. I won’t infringe your silence, I promise”
“Yah sure. I don’t have any problem. C’mon have a seat”, said Avni, offering him to sit next to her.
He sat and there was perfect silence but then they started talking. Time flew with words. Avni was always an open person, but there were things no one knew; yet talking to Akash was something different. She told him things she never shared with anyone. Thoughts just became words. And she knew her thoughts were being reciprocated with the same frequency. Somehow, she didn’t regret sharing anything, being the first meeting with him. She knew she had found a good friend in him.

The doorbell rang and broke her reverie. Her hot coffee has become cold coffee by now. She smiled to herself getting up to open the door.